Aquatic life in Herbert Park

I thought I would share these pics with you!

Night shots in the Park

While enjoying the 'free' Bruce Springsteen concert last night, we took the gear and got some artistic night shots! Enjoy!

Coastal Wildflowers of the Burren Region

Co. Clare

Another long weekend saw us heading off to County Clare and the Cliffs of Moher. Ennis was our base for this trip. We headed off via the coast through Lahinch, an unexpected surfing spot and 'holiday' feeling seaside village. The scenery here is true Ireland, rocky coast, the greenest green rolling countryside right down to the sea and little cottages dotting the countryside. Golf courses abound, including some with ruins just looming up out of the greens!

The Cliffs are somewhat a victim of their own popularity, now having huge parking areas (eight euros to park) and paths and fences and the usual tourist shops and experiences with souvenirs for those eager to spend their money. Getting there early as possible is highly recommended. And don't try to climb over the fences, they are there for a reason and the rangers will blow their whistles and be onto you in a flash.

The Burren region is further up on Galway Bay and is an incredibly barren landscape, but captivating also. It is acres of limestone karst pavements, but between the seams of rock are fissures (known as grykes) which support an amazing array of wildflowers.

This area seems a popular holiday spot, I think because of fishing, surfing and close proximity to the Aran Islands. The main road is narrow and lined with rocks and B & B's - seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Parking must be a nightmare in summer!

Ballyvaughan round on Galway Bay is a peaceful spot and on a good day Galway and the Connemara can be seen. It's a good spot for cyclists to recover too!

The Cliffs of Moher

Cycling is popular (and hard work in the Burren)

Co. Clare Coast

Surfing at Lahinch, Liscannor Bay; coastal rocks; Doolin Harbour with ferries to Aran Island and the quaint village of Fisherstreet.

Ruins around Co. Clare including 14cen High Cross

Driving in Dublin

I guess I'm not alone in saying that I am scared of driving in a new city or country!  But, I can say I am slowly getting more confident as I get more familiar with my area.  I have driven 3/4 way across the country and done plenty of driving on our trips, but the city can be more daunting.  At first I had to memorize the trip on a map if I was going somewhere and was in trouble if a diversion was in place.  Now I can change my mind on a trip and not get lost (so far!)

Nearly all parking in Dublin is paid parking.  Closer to the city costs more.  One of my greatest fears is getting clamped.  The traffic guys are ruthless and any 'clearways' that are not observed will result in the yellow machine on your wheel, a huge sticker on your car window and the need to phone them, wait and then pay 80 euros to get unclamped.  I observe this outside our apartment every afternoon at 4pm!  Hasn't happened to us yet, but I am worried one day I will misread a parking sign and be a victim!

At first I thought that drivers here were very impatient, with lots of horns 'bipping', but after driving more I have decided there is a lot of tolerance on the road (there HAS to be!)  Taxi drivers are the most considerate, indicating for you to turn, or pull out so the traffic isn't held up.  This attitude is infectious and I find myself letting others in or waiting for them so the traffic isn't held up.  More than I would at home I think.  Of course with the narrow streets here, it's almost necessary to aid good traffic flow.  Some streets are so narrow that with cars parked one side, traffic can only flow one way at a time.

Also being a pedestrian, you get stopped for which is rather nice and unexpected.

A funny story when we did first arrive though, we pulled out of our apartment block and sat for ages trying to turn right, unwise in peak hour traffic, a little while later the phone rings, it is Damien who sold us the car saying 'you have to learn to drive like the Irish guys, you are too polite, just go'!!  He was in the car dealership across the road and recognized the car!!  We had a good laugh (and have learnt to take more risks!)

Ennis Co. Clare

The latest trip we took was to Co. Clare, where we stayed at Ennis, a medieval town. It's historic centerpiece is the Friary, which was founded for Franciscans by the O'Briens around 1284 and the friary was active under O'Brien protection until at least 1570. By 1670 the confraternity was reduced to one Friar and the O'Briens, Lord of Thommond, had kept the buildings in repair until this time. The Sacristy and Refectory may be as early as 1314, and the Cloister (pictured below) may date 1400 or shortly afterwards. Much of the existing church dates second half of the 15th century.

Ennis is on the Fergus River and a thoroughfare for those heading to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren region.

Ennis Friary - not everything is ancient!

A tombstone at Ennis Friary

This tombstone, like many others, had been moved into the Friary to protect it and been laid on the floor. I was really impressed by the wording here below:

Erected
To the memory of
John Charles Ryall Died July 6, 1861
by his afflicted widow who deeply and sincerely
mourns the loss of one she so fondly
loved and is consoled only by the hope of a
reunion with him in heaven through the
merits of the Saviour in whom
he fully trusted for salvation.

Belated Anzac Day Photo

I know it's late, but just loaded up this photo of the dignitaries from Anzac Day and thought some would like to see it. Australian Ambassador is Anne Plunkett, on right of photo.

More Spring blooms, but check the closing times!

Spring in Herbert Park

Street Art

There are a number of street artists (not including the Grafton Street buskers) and this one guy's artwork is in Talbot Street north of the Liffey. There is often another guy who does chalk drawings of the Madonna outside Trinity College. I think he is only there in summer due to his medium, but last summer tested his patience I am sure, being the wettest summer in 50 years! He does the same picture, day after day with intricate detail.

Counting the Counties!

We had a road trip across Ireland on the weekend and kept count of the number of counties we drove into or through. The Republic of Ireland has 26 counties and Northern Ireland has six.

We managed to drive through eleven of them!!

Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon, Galway, Clare, Limmerick, Tipperary, Laois. Three of them we went through twice and we didn't retrace our steps on this trip.

Ireland also has four provinces; Leinster, Connacht, Munster and Ulster (Northern Ireland). Managed to cover the first three as well! Ulster will be the next Bank Holiday weekend.